Blundstone 490 Boot Review: Do Work Blunnies Hold Up?

Australian boot company Blundstone makes good value, water-resistant, slip-on boots. In their native Australia — a country that seriously loves Chelsea boots —  they’re affectionately called Blunnies and are some of the most popular boots for working folks.

If you live in the United States, you might have never heard of them. If you have, you’re probably more familiar with their everyday 500 or 550 models. But Blundstone also make Chelsea boots that are intended for work and with my Blundstone 490 review, I aim to help you decide if it’s among the best work boots.

I’ll rate the construction and durability, sizing, fit, and comfort. using a 5-point rating system to help you better decide if the Blundstone 490s work for you.

Blundstone’s History

Originally founded in 1870 as John Blundstone and Sons in Tasmania, Australia, the current owners — the Cuthbertson family — bought the brand during the Great Depression but kept the original name. 

Blundstone introduced the iconic Chelsea design in the 1960s and since then, they’ve sold over 25 million pairs of the well-known 500 model. In 2007, they moved their production overseas, except for their gumboots. While the pull tabs still say “Tasmania,” your boots are made in Southeast Asia.

How I Tested My Blundstone Work Boots

I am a water plant operator, and work boots are an important tool. I wore the Blundstone 490 boots daily for a week, both at and out of work. My work week on the 2nd shift rotation could be described as light to medium duty.

I walk about 10,000 to 20,000 steps daily, depending on how busy I am. I deal with chemicals like ferric sulfate, caustic, and fluoride acids.

I’m looking for boots that are durable, comfortable, and safe.

Blundstone 490 Specs

Safety Toe	No
Slip Resistant	Yes
Electric Hazard rated	Yes
Waterproof	No
Construction	Direct Attach
Outsole	Thermoplastic Polyurethane
Leather	Full Grain
Height	~6 inch
Country of Origin	Vietnam
Size Range	Full-Sizes US 4-13 Half-Sizes  US 4.5-11.5
Other Options	Black (491)

 

What I like about Blundstone’s work boots

• Lightweight work boot
• Good leather
• No break-in period
• Great for my flat feet
• Electrical Hazard rated
• Excellent shock absorption and comfort
• Double stitched for added durability
• Easy to pull on and off, no laces to get wet in snow or rain
• Protective kick guard
• Defined heel
• Water-resistant (up to goring)

What I Didn’t Like About Blundstone’s 490s

• Not resoleable  
• Outsole and midsole need regular wear to prevent the sole from crumbling
• Sole is squeaky, especially when wet
• More expensive than similar boots (Even though they’re made in Vietnam)
• Lack of laces make them a little less secure
• Exposed heel counter (synthetic)
• Not waterproof (especially at the elastic)

Blundstone 490 Construction & Durability

• Overall Rating: 4.5/5

I prioritize thick, abrasion-resistant leather uppers because I work with caustic substances. I want grippy outsoles so I don’t slip. And whenever possible, I prefer to get a resoleable Goodyear welted boot.

Leather

• Thick leather
• Oiled for extra water resistance
• Durable and scratch-resistant
• Unknown origin

The 490 has three thick brown premium oil-tanned leather panels, which I measured at 2.5mm. Despite the thick leather, the boots are incredibly flexible. The leather is fairly scratch-resistant. It is also water resistant due to the tight leather grains.

It’s difficult to know where Blundstone sources its leather; its website states it comes from Vietnam, Thailand, India, China, and Mexico.

Construction

• Heat-bonded “direct attach” sole
• Polyurethane midsole
• Slip, oil, and acid-resistant
• Heat resistant to 280 F
• The heel-to-toe drop is 0.50”
• Heel height 1.5”
• The toe box area is about 1.00”.

Blundstone attaches the sole to the uppers using direct attach construction. This means they apply a molten thermoplastic polyurethane outsole (TPU) to the leather upper and use no stitches, screws, or glue.

Direct attach construction is difficult to resole. I’ve found a few small shops online that will resole Blundstone boots with a Vibram sole — if you’re attached to your boots and willing to pay about $100, you can keep wearing them.

The Outsole

The TPU outsole is oil, acid, slip, and heat resistant to approximately 280 degrees Fahrenheit.

It’s squeaky on hard floors and even more so when wet. The tread is mid-depth and not overly aggressive. I’ve found the traction of these boots to be great on snow and in a muddy spot at work.

The one area of concern is the small gap where the top of the sole meets the leather uppers. This might allow dirt to collect and water to rest, causing a possible problem.

The outsole extends over the toe box. This “kick guard: toe leather protection prevents scuffs and abrasion to the toe box. It’s basically just a bit of TPU extending over the toe area.

 

The Midsole

The TPU midsole has a rubbery feel rather than a hard plastic.

When I posted a preview of these boots on Facebook, someone said their Blundstones crumbled and I wondered what the heck was happening.

The answer is that TPU is prone to hydrolysis. The soles will break down and crumble if you don’t wear these semi-regularly. In the words of the singer Nancy Sinatra, “These boots are made for walkin’.”

The Shank

The 490s have a steel shank for stability and foot support. The boot would flex more without a shank, but the shank offers more stability. If you’re working on concrete, uneven surfaces, or climbing ladders, you’ll want a rigid shank to absorb the shock and stabilize lateral torsion.

They also make the boots more durable by adding structure, reducing the odds of the arch collapsing.

The Insole

Blundstone uses its branded Shock Protection System MAX (SPS Max) sole technology. They add comfy, sneaker-like “XRD” foam to the sole and heel strike zone.

According to their website, XRD “absorbs up to 90% of energy at high-speed impact.” This is a similar foam used in running shoes and hiking boots.

Elastic Goring

The boot is pretty water resistant up until the elastic. You won’t be able to stand in water above the goring.  

Blundstone 490 Comfort, Sizing, & Fit

• Rating: 5/5
• Comfort, fit, and materials of a boot go hand in hand, in my experience.
• Roomy and comfortable toe box
• Great arch support for my flat feet
• Shock Protection System MAX (SPS Max) technology for shock absorption
• Steel shank

The Blundstone 490 boots are very comfortable. I’ve been wearing these boots for over a week now at work and home. I can honestly say these boots were comfortable straight out of the box. The shock absorbent footbed and and the shank make standing all day a lot more bearable.

For me, Blundstone’s combination of classic rigid materials like steel with more modern materials like EVA and foam is a winning combo.

Blundstone 490 Sizing & Fit

• Australian/UK sizing, true to size
• Half sizes are in widths, not length

Blundstone stamps the bottoms of the boots with UK sizes. But, when you order from their website, they list US sizes.

It’s very important to note that Blundstone half sizes are different than most other brands. Half sizes increase the width, not the length, of the boot. Both a size 11 and 11.5 are 280mm or about 11 inches long. The 11.5 are wider.

The boots are true to size. This means my size 11 UK/ size 12 US boots fit me like a 12 US. I didn’t size down, as you’re often advised to do with boots.

Blundstone recommends checking the size by kicking your foot to the front of the boot, then checking the gap between the back of your foot and the inside of the boot. You should be able to fit your finger in this space.

The other method is to pull out the removable EVA footbed and stand on it. You should be able to place your finger in front of your toes. This advice worked for me.

Blundstone 490 Weight

• Rating: 5/5
• About 3 lbs / 46 oz as weighed (size 11 UK/12 US)

When I weighed these boots, they were just short of 3 lbs, at 2 lbs, 13-⅝ oz. I think it’s safe to say these boots are very lightweight. Especially in comparison with some other boots like Red Wing or Thorogood which hit the scales between 4-5 lbs.

My legs appreciated the lightweight at the end of the work day.

Blundstone 490 Safety Features

• Certified to ASTM F2891-18 M EH
• Outsoles meet OSHA requirements for oil and slip resistance
• No steel toe available for this model
• Protective kick guard
• Steel shank

Safety Toe, or Lack Thereof

This particular model doesn’t have a safety toe. There are several other Blundstone styles, like the Blundstone 172 with safety toes, if you need a protective safety toe cap.

It is worth noting this boot has a protective kick guard to help protect the leather on the toe box.

Shock Resistance

They have ASTM F2892-18 M EH. The EH in the standards code refers to the Electrical hazard resistance.

According to Blundstone, “EH shock resistant footwear must be capable of withstanding the application of 18,000 volts at 60 Hz for 1 minute with no current flow or leakage in excess of 1.0 milliampere.”

Slip Resistance

The TPU outsoles are very slip-resistant. They provide excellent resistance to oil, acid, and slipping. I’d recommend these to mechanics and food service workers.

In comparison, I also have a pair of Thorogood moc toe boots, which are the complete opposite in the grip department. When I wore those boots, I had to show extreme caution while walking on greasy surfaces because it was almost as if I was skating on ice.

How Much Does the Blundstone 490 Cost?

• Rating: ⅘
• $225

I’d say these boots are a bit overpriced, and you’re paying for the brand name. There are other similar boots from almost every company starting at around $120.

For only five dollars more, you could get Blundstone’s 990 if you needed extra safety features. The 990 has a steel toe, a higher heat-resistant sole, and a protective TPU cap for the toe box.

Who Should Buy the Blundstone 490 Boots?

I’d personally recommend these boots to almost anyone who wants comfortable, light work boots, as long as you’re willing to spend a little extra.

They’re extremely comfortable and versatile. I think these boots are great for work and stylish enough to wear outside of work. There are certain jobs these would be great for, like food service, mechanics, welders, carpenters, warehouse workers, factory workers, and anything that doesn’t require a safety toe.

Someone who works as an EMT or in a similar job might want to consider these boots as well. Chelsea boots are fairly easy to slide on and off, which makes them much quicker than dealing with laced boots.

These are also great in muddy and outdoor conditions. I’d wear them when working around the house.

Who Shouldn’t Buy the Blundstone 490 Boots?

Some construction sites and workplaces don’t allow slip-on Chelsea boots and require safety toes or boots with puncture-resistant soles.

As great as these boots are overall, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend them to some construction workers. Be sure to check with your work before purchasing if you want to buy these boots.

How Blundstone Compares to Redback

Blundstone has been around longer and has a larger fan base than Redback. Living in Ohio, this is like talking about John Deere. They make good products, but there are brands just as good as them that don’t charge as much for nearly the same thing.

If you are particular about where your boots are made, these might not be the ones for you. You can buy the 100% Australian-sourced and manufactured Redback UBBK boot I previously reviewed for around $40 less.

Final Thoughts

To close things out, I feel the Blundstone 490s are really great boots overall. They live up to the hype they receive in reviews online on Amazon and Reddit, aside from being overpriced compared to competitors.

Before writing this review, I’d never worn Blundstones. There have been multiple times on Reddit where someone had mentioned they were debating on what boots to get, and more times than not, almost everyone suggests the Redback Boots over Blundstones. I personally put both of these boots on nearly equal footing.

The Redbacks have no shank, while the Blundstones do. Both boots have nearly the same weight, and very similar features. The higher cost of the Blundstone 490s and the fact they’re made in Vietnam instead of Australia are the main reasons I would choose the Redbacks. But even though the Blundstones are made in Vietnam, the quality and comfort are impressive. I’ve only worn them for two weeks, but the soles are very durable and show absolutely no wear.

If you decide you’d like to buy these boots, make sure there is an option for free returns in case they don’t fit you properly.

These really are overall great boots, as long as a safety toe and waterproofing are not required for your job. But if you have your mind set on getting some Blundstones and your job requires a safety toe, you could always go with the more heavy duty Blundstone 990.  

Is the Blundstone 490 waterproof?

No, but the leather is water-resistant. You can safely stand in water up to the level below the elastic goring without trouble. However, you might not want to do this for an extended period of time.

Can the Blundstone 490 be resoled?

No. Due to the direct attachment construction, these boots cannot be resoled to original specs.

Where is the Blundstone 490 made?

My Blundstone 490s are manufactured in Vietnam.